Schools’ capital needs are on hold

VERONA — It’s unlikely any new bricks and mortar will be used in the near future to upgrade Augusta County Schools.

A tough economic environment brought caution on school capital needs from both the Augusta County Supervisors and Augusta County School Board members at a work session Thursday.

While the school district has decisions to make about future school expansions and whether to close Ladd Elementary in Waynesboro and redistribute students from that school, the decisions must wait.

Board of Supervisors Chairman David Beyeler thanked schools administrators for the hour briefing about possible scenarios should either Ladd Elementary or Beverley Manor Elementary near Staunton be closed.

Beyeler said the current difficult economy must pass before action can be taken.

“Now is not the time to sell Ladd,’’ said Beyeler.

Estimates say the Ladd property in Waynesboro’s West End could bring between $9 million and $10 million if sold. Those funds could help in paying for the expansions of other elementary schools that would take Ladd students.

Should Ladd be closed, the Augusta County Schools have a scenario that would include renovations and expansions of both Cassell and Wilson elementary schools.

Those schools along with Stump Elementary in Stuarts Draft could take the students from Ladd.

Pastures District Supervisor Tracy Pyles said expanding Wilson Elementary would be one of his top priorities.

The Fishersville school is located next to a brand new Wilson Middle School and newly renovated Wilson Memorial High School, and is in a growing part of Augusta County.

“We need to address Wilson Elementary. Doubling the size makes sense,’’ Pyles said.

Pyles said he is less favorable on closing Beverley Manor Elementary. He said the school is still viewed as a community school by people who send their children there.

Under the scenario presented Thursday by school administrators, nearly 50,000 square feet would be added to Wilson to expand capacity from 340 to 750 students.

A rough estimate is that cost of the renovation and expansion would be nearly $13 million.

Middle River School Board member David Shiflett said there is no time frame on the capital plans at this point.

“We can’t build without the dollars,’’ he said.